Wait ‘Til Next Year

BY JASON D. ANTOS

Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom and infielder Daniel Murphy wave goodbye after the last regular season game of 2015 at Citi Field on October 4.
Photo Jason D. Antos When the New York Mets began the 2015 season in April the odds of them reaching the postseason were placed at a longshot of 100 to 1.

Five months later, on September 27, the Mets defeated the Cincinnati Reds and won the Eastern Division title. On October 4, the Mets concluded their season against the Washington Nationals with a season record of 90 wins and 72 losses. The Nationals ironically had been given 1 to 1 odds (100 percent definite) way back in April, that they would reach the post season. They never came close.

Then came the Los Angeles Dodgers who took the Amazins to the brink of elimination, were it not for the pitching talent of Jacob deGrom and the batting heroics of Daniel Murphy. It was then on to Chicago, where the Mets shocked the sports world as they steamrollered over the Chicago Cubs and swept them four games to zero to win the Pennant of the National League.

The Kansas City Royals were the defending American League champions and were in last year’s Fall Classic against the San Francisco Giants. They went the distance and lost by a single run in Game 7. They were devastated by the loss and clearly never got over it.

It was this angst, this hunger and drive, which the Royals used for their historic rise through the regular season and post season, landing them in their second consecutive World Series appearance.

The New York Mets wanted to win, but Kansas City wanted it more. The road to their third World Series title ended for the Mets on Sunday, November 1, with a 7-2 loss at Citi Field giving the Royals their second win in franchise history. The last one came in 1985, one year before the Mets won their last title in 1986.

“Thanks to the New York Mets for this Amazin’ season, which produced a welldeserved National League championship as a result of their excellent play and the smart midseason trades made by the team’s front office. Although losing in the World Series is hard, we can take pride in the fact that the Mets played with heart and determination and represented Queens and all of New York City in an exceptional manner. The team also has a bright future ahead of it with its outstanding young pitching staff. We’ll get ‘em next year,” said Borough President Melinda Katz.

The names of the 2015 team will never be forgotten; Wright, Syndergaard, deGrom, Cespedes, Granderson, Murphy, Duda, Harvey, Matz, Familia, and Colon, and the city is still buzzing about this miraculous appearance by the Mets in the World Series. It was something that no one saw coming and something that Mets fans will never forget. The games will be debated and talked about for many days and months to come as the Metropolitan Baseball Club awaits their next championship.